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Augury refers to an ancient practice used for divining the will of the gods by interpreting omens, especially based on the behavior of birds.
The practice is believed to have originated from the Etruscans, a civilization that flourished in Italy before the rise of Rome. It was later adopted by the Romans, who integrated it into their religious and political life.
Augurs, the practitioners of augury, held a prestigious role in society, advising leaders on matters ranging from military campaigns to civic affairs based on their interpretations of omens, particularly the flight patterns, songs, and behaviors of birds.
Augurs employed various techniques to interpret signs from the gods. The most common method involved observing the sky and noting the flight patterns of birds. The area of the sky was divided into regions, and the direction of a bird’s flight, its species, and behaviors were all considered significant indicators of divine approval or disapproval.
Other methods included the examination of the entrails of sacrificed animals, especially the liver, and the observation of natural phenomena such as lightning and thunder. However, the focus on birds is what distinguished augury from other forms of divination in the ancient world.
Augury played a critical role in the decision-making processes of ancient societies. No major decision, be it the founding of a new city, the setting out of a military expedition, or the election of political leaders, was made without consulting the augurs. This deep reliance on divine signs underscores the theocratic nature of said societies, where the will of the gods was sought to guide human affairs.
One of the most legendary applications of augury is the founding of Rome itself. According to tradition, Romulus and Remus, the mythological founders of Rome, used augury to decide the location and boundaries of the city. Romulus, observing twelve auspicious birds flying over the Palatine Hill, took it as a divine sign of favor, thereby establishing Rome’s sacred boundary, the pomerium.
The Roman Republic’s history is punctuated with instances where augury played a critical role. A notable example is the Battle of Lake Regillus in 496 BCE, a decisive conflict against the Latin League. Prior to the battle, augurs consulted the gods, interpreting the flight of birds as a favorable omen. This divine endorsement was pivotal in bolstering the morale of Roman forces, leading to a crucial victory that affirmed the dominance of the fledgling Republic.
Augury was not only reserved for warfare or the founding of cities but also played a vital role in the public and religious life of Rome. The inauguration of the public games, essential for appeasing the gods and ensuring the prosperity of Rome, often required augural rites. The presence or absence of auspicious signs could determine the timing and manner in which these games were conducted, illustrating the practice’s penetration into the social fabric of Rome.
During the Gallic invasion of 390 BCE, augury underscored the Roman response to crisis. Before the Battle of the Allia, augurs were consulted, but despite unfavorable omens, the Roman commanders chose to engage, leading to a catastrophic defeat. This event underscored the importance of heeding augural warnings, a lesson that would resonate in the collective Roman psyche.
While the practice of augury as it was known in ancient times has largely faded away, its legacy persists in modern culture. The term “auspicious,” for example, derives from the practice of augury, denoting something that is considered to be under favorable auspices or lucky.
And while modern historians like to downplay the impact that occultism has had on ancient people’s politics and military actions, augury is one of those examples that provides a direct rebuttal. It is clear that Etruscans and Romans saw their destiny as intertwined with the will of the gods, and decipherable through the natural world by its regular practice.
The post Whispers from the Sky: The Ancient Art of Augury appeared first on Occultist.
Source: Occultist | Whispers from the Sky: The Ancient Art of Augury
The practice is believed to have originated from the Etruscans, a civilization that flourished in Italy before the rise of Rome. It was later adopted by the Romans, who integrated it into their religious and political life.
Augurs, the practitioners of augury, held a prestigious role in society, advising leaders on matters ranging from military campaigns to civic affairs based on their interpretations of omens, particularly the flight patterns, songs, and behaviors of birds.
Techniques and Practices
Augurs employed various techniques to interpret signs from the gods. The most common method involved observing the sky and noting the flight patterns of birds. The area of the sky was divided into regions, and the direction of a bird’s flight, its species, and behaviors were all considered significant indicators of divine approval or disapproval.
Other methods included the examination of the entrails of sacrificed animals, especially the liver, and the observation of natural phenomena such as lightning and thunder. However, the focus on birds is what distinguished augury from other forms of divination in the ancient world.
Augury played a critical role in the decision-making processes of ancient societies. No major decision, be it the founding of a new city, the setting out of a military expedition, or the election of political leaders, was made without consulting the augurs. This deep reliance on divine signs underscores the theocratic nature of said societies, where the will of the gods was sought to guide human affairs.
Epoch-Making Instances of Augury in Rome
The Founding of Rome
One of the most legendary applications of augury is the founding of Rome itself. According to tradition, Romulus and Remus, the mythological founders of Rome, used augury to decide the location and boundaries of the city. Romulus, observing twelve auspicious birds flying over the Palatine Hill, took it as a divine sign of favor, thereby establishing Rome’s sacred boundary, the pomerium.
The Battle of Lake Regillus
The Roman Republic’s history is punctuated with instances where augury played a critical role. A notable example is the Battle of Lake Regillus in 496 BCE, a decisive conflict against the Latin League. Prior to the battle, augurs consulted the gods, interpreting the flight of birds as a favorable omen. This divine endorsement was pivotal in bolstering the morale of Roman forces, leading to a crucial victory that affirmed the dominance of the fledgling Republic.
The Public Games
Augury was not only reserved for warfare or the founding of cities but also played a vital role in the public and religious life of Rome. The inauguration of the public games, essential for appeasing the gods and ensuring the prosperity of Rome, often required augural rites. The presence or absence of auspicious signs could determine the timing and manner in which these games were conducted, illustrating the practice’s penetration into the social fabric of Rome.
The Gallic Invasion
During the Gallic invasion of 390 BCE, augury underscored the Roman response to crisis. Before the Battle of the Allia, augurs were consulted, but despite unfavorable omens, the Roman commanders chose to engage, leading to a catastrophic defeat. This event underscored the importance of heeding augural warnings, a lesson that would resonate in the collective Roman psyche.
Final Thoughts
While the practice of augury as it was known in ancient times has largely faded away, its legacy persists in modern culture. The term “auspicious,” for example, derives from the practice of augury, denoting something that is considered to be under favorable auspices or lucky.
And while modern historians like to downplay the impact that occultism has had on ancient people’s politics and military actions, augury is one of those examples that provides a direct rebuttal. It is clear that Etruscans and Romans saw their destiny as intertwined with the will of the gods, and decipherable through the natural world by its regular practice.
The post Whispers from the Sky: The Ancient Art of Augury appeared first on Occultist.
Source: Occultist | Whispers from the Sky: The Ancient Art of Augury